New structure
New leadership
iOCO has a new leadership team that is decentralised into five autonomous clusters.
Non-executive Directors
Jabu Moleketi
Non-executive Director and Board chairman
B Administration, B Com Economics (Honours) Appointed 1 September 2020. Mr Moleketi is a former Deputy Minister of Finance of the Republic of South Africa and Gauteng Province MEC of Finance and Economic Affairs as well as a director of several companies listed on the JSE Limited. He is non-executive Chairman of PPC Limited and non-executive director of Remgro. He holds postgraduate economics and management qualifications from the University of London and Harvard Business School and has extensive international exposure, extensive strategic leadership skills and in-depth corporate governance experience in both the public and private sectors. He is a non-executive director and shareholder of EOH’s black empowerment partner, Lebashe Investment Group. Committees: Remuneration and Nominations Committee & Social & Ethics Committee
Veronica Motloutsi
Independent Non-executive Director
MTech in Business Information Systems, MBA
Appointed 30 May 2024
Veronica Motloutsi is the founder and CEO of SmartDigital Solutions (Pty) Ltd, a leading company specializing in digital transformation. With over 25 years of extensive experience in the ICT sector, Veronica has established herself as a distinguished leader, both in South Africa and across the broader African continent. She possesses deep industry knowledge and a proven track record in driving ICT innovation and governance excellence. Veronica’s career includes significant roles such as Executive Head of Commercial Operations for International Markets (African operations) at Vodacom and overseeing commercial operations. Group Manager for IT Strategy and Enterprise Architecture at Sun International: Led strategic IT initiatives and enterprise architecture, and Lead Architect for Account Origination and Maintenance at Nedbank where she played a pivotal role in developing and maintaining key banking systems, and Sasol.
Currently, Veronica serves as a non-executive director at SENTECH SOC Limited. She is also the deputy chairperson of the .za Domain Name Authority (ZADNA) and VulaTel. Her comprehensive expertise includes governance and regulatory frameworks, making her a valuable asset in various leadership capacities.
Committees: Social & Ethics Committee (Chairperson) & Remuneration and Nomination Committee
Appointed 30 May 2024
Veronica Motloutsi is the founder and CEO of SmartDigital Solutions (Pty) Ltd, a leading company specializing in digital transformation. With over 25 years of extensive experience in the ICT sector, Veronica has established herself as a distinguished leader, both in South Africa and across the broader African continent. She possesses deep industry knowledge and a proven track record in driving ICT innovation and governance excellence. Veronica’s career includes significant roles such as Executive Head of Commercial Operations for International Markets (African operations) at Vodacom and overseeing commercial operations. Group Manager for IT Strategy and Enterprise Architecture at Sun International: Led strategic IT initiatives and enterprise architecture, and Lead Architect for Account Origination and Maintenance at Nedbank where she played a pivotal role in developing and maintaining key banking systems, and Sasol.
Currently, Veronica serves as a non-executive director at SENTECH SOC Limited. She is also the deputy chairperson of the .za Domain Name Authority (ZADNA) and VulaTel. Her comprehensive expertise includes governance and regulatory frameworks, making her a valuable asset in various leadership capacities.
Committees: Social & Ethics Committee (Chairperson) & Remuneration and Nomination Committee
Nompumelelo Mokou
Independent Non-executive Director
Nompumelelo Mokou is a distinguished executive and board member with extensive experience in business transformation, governance, and strategic leadership. In March 2025, she was appointed Independent Non-Executive Director and Chairperson of the Audit & Risk Committee at iOCO. Previously, Nompumelelo served as Managing Director of Dimension Data Southern Africa (now NTT Data) from April 2021 to November 2023, leading significant turnaround initiatives that improved operational efficiencies and drove growth.
Her board experience includes serving as Chairperson of the Audit Committee for the Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality, and Sports Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA) from 2015 to 2019. During her tenure at Dimension Data Southern Africa, she was also a Board Member, contributing to the strategic decisions that drove the company’s progress and transformation. Additionally, she served as a Trustee of the Dimension Data Provident Fund and an Employee-elected Trustee in Dimension Data’s Employees Empowerment Trust.
Throughout her career, Nompumelelo has been deeply involved in employment equity, diversity, and inclusive leadership, ensuring businesses cultivate a progressive and transformative culture. From 2011 to 2013, she chaired the Soweto branch of the Business Women of South Africa’s Association.
Nompumelelo holds a Bachelor of Accountancy from the University of the Witwatersrand and an MBA from Stellenbosch University.
Her board experience includes serving as Chairperson of the Audit Committee for the Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality, and Sports Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA) from 2015 to 2019. During her tenure at Dimension Data Southern Africa, she was also a Board Member, contributing to the strategic decisions that drove the company’s progress and transformation. Additionally, she served as a Trustee of the Dimension Data Provident Fund and an Employee-elected Trustee in Dimension Data’s Employees Empowerment Trust.
Throughout her career, Nompumelelo has been deeply involved in employment equity, diversity, and inclusive leadership, ensuring businesses cultivate a progressive and transformative culture. From 2011 to 2013, she chaired the Soweto branch of the Business Women of South Africa’s Association.
Nompumelelo holds a Bachelor of Accountancy from the University of the Witwatersrand and an MBA from Stellenbosch University.
Andrew Marshall
Independent Non-executive Director
BCom (Honours)
Appointed 1 September 2020.
Andrew started his career in Sales & Marketing with AECI. He moved to their parent company ICI in the UK before returning to South Africa. He was then Managing Director of a number of smaller, privately owned businesses or divisions of a listed group. He was appointed CEO of the listed group Oceana in 1999, and remained there until 2009 when he joined Nampak as CEO. He retired from Nampak in 2014. He is currently the Chairman of Ster Kinekor Theatres.
Committees: Audit and Risk Committee & Remuneration and Nominations Committee
Appointed 1 September 2020.
Andrew started his career in Sales & Marketing with AECI. He moved to their parent company ICI in the UK before returning to South Africa. He was then Managing Director of a number of smaller, privately owned businesses or divisions of a listed group. He was appointed CEO of the listed group Oceana in 1999, and remained there until 2009 when he joined Nampak as CEO. He retired from Nampak in 2014. He is currently the Chairman of Ster Kinekor Theatres.
Committees: Audit and Risk Committee & Remuneration and Nominations Committee
Executive Directors
Rhys Summerton
Group Co-Chief Executive Officer
Investment Decisions And Behavioural Finance, Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education
Appointed 30 May 2024
Rhys Summerton is the founder and investor at Milkwood Capital, a long-term, value oriented, global investment company, based in the UK.
Since establishing the fund in 2014, Rhys has successfully driven value realization across a range of investments through disciplined capital allocation and strategic decision-making.
Before founding Milkwood, Rhys was Managing Director and Global Head of Emerging Market Equity Research at Citigroup, leading the firm’s top-ranked research franchise. A Chartered Accountant, he began his career with Ernst & Young.
Rhys serves on the boards of various listed and unlisted companies, primarily where Milkwood Capital has influence.
Appointed 30 May 2024
Rhys Summerton is the founder and investor at Milkwood Capital, a long-term, value oriented, global investment company, based in the UK.
Since establishing the fund in 2014, Rhys has successfully driven value realization across a range of investments through disciplined capital allocation and strategic decision-making.
Before founding Milkwood, Rhys was Managing Director and Global Head of Emerging Market Equity Research at Citigroup, leading the firm’s top-ranked research franchise. A Chartered Accountant, he began his career with Ernst & Young.
Rhys serves on the boards of various listed and unlisted companies, primarily where Milkwood Capital has influence.
Ashona Kooblall
Group Chief Financial Officer
A qualified CA (SA). Ashona has more than 16 years of senior finance experience with a demonstrated history of finance leadership positions within the Technology, FMCG and Retail industries.
Ashona’s expertise spans various fields including Corporate finance, Governance, P&L optimization, Mergers & Acquisitions, business restructuring, cost optimization strategies, business strategy, investor relations, managerial finance, controversy management and strategic planning. Ashona spent her career at leading JSE listed and multinational companies namely, Barloworld Group, Tiger Brands Group and Nike Inc. She held various senior corporate finance and strategy roles. She has been with the IOCO group for +5 years.
Ashona’s expertise spans various fields including Corporate finance, Governance, P&L optimization, Mergers & Acquisitions, business restructuring, cost optimization strategies, business strategy, investor relations, managerial finance, controversy management and strategic planning. Ashona spent her career at leading JSE listed and multinational companies namely, Barloworld Group, Tiger Brands Group and Nike Inc. She held various senior corporate finance and strategy roles. She has been with the IOCO group for +5 years.
Dennis Venter
Group Co-Chief Executive Officer, Social & Ethics Committee
CA(SA)
Appointed 30 May 2024
Dennis started his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers before embarking on an entrepreneurial journey which led to him founding Quarry Cats (Pty) Ltd in 1997, a company involved in the supply of construction materials and crushing services to the construction and mining industries and the production of commercial aggregates; which was eventually sold to Group Five Limited in 2007. Thereafter, Dennis grew Atoll as a premier entity for offshore mining operations, overseeing its expansion into lucrative markets, including the United States and Netherlands. He currently oversees a diversified investment portfolio.
Committees: Social and Ethics Committee
Appointed 30 May 2024
Dennis started his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers before embarking on an entrepreneurial journey which led to him founding Quarry Cats (Pty) Ltd in 1997, a company involved in the supply of construction materials and crushing services to the construction and mining industries and the production of commercial aggregates; which was eventually sold to Group Five Limited in 2007. Thereafter, Dennis grew Atoll as a premier entity for offshore mining operations, overseeing its expansion into lucrative markets, including the United States and Netherlands. He currently oversees a diversified investment portfolio.
Committees: Social and Ethics Committee
Operational Structure
Conrad Blignaut
Chief Executive: Intelligent Technology Solutions
Conrad Blignaut is the Chief Executive of iOCO Digital, driving the Group’s Cloud, Infrastructure and Managed IT services. With over 24 years of experience, including senior roles at iOCO and Old Mutual, he has a strong track record of driving IT innovation and aligning technology with business strategy.
As Managing Director of iOCO Infrastructure Services since 2023, Conrad managed a R1.2bn business, optimising IT operations for a diverse range of clients. Prior to this, he served as CIO of the Group, where he was integral to the company’s turnaround, establishing IT governance and ensuring technology supported business objectives.
Conrad’s career spans consulting, operations, and leadership roles. At Old Mutual, he was General Manager: IT, overseeing all IT delivery for the South African business. He also directed Global Edge Technologies, managing Old Mutual UK’s award-winning investment platform, which ranked among the top five in the UK market by assets under management.
A recognised leader in digital transformation, Conrad champions large-scale IT initiatives, embedding cultural and operational shifts alongside technological change. He is passionate about developing future technology leaders and is committed to helping businesses harness technology for sustainable success.
As Managing Director of iOCO Infrastructure Services since 2023, Conrad managed a R1.2bn business, optimising IT operations for a diverse range of clients. Prior to this, he served as CIO of the Group, where he was integral to the company’s turnaround, establishing IT governance and ensuring technology supported business objectives.
Conrad’s career spans consulting, operations, and leadership roles. At Old Mutual, he was General Manager: IT, overseeing all IT delivery for the South African business. He also directed Global Edge Technologies, managing Old Mutual UK’s award-winning investment platform, which ranked among the top five in the UK market by assets under management.
A recognised leader in digital transformation, Conrad champions large-scale IT initiatives, embedding cultural and operational shifts alongside technological change. He is passionate about developing future technology leaders and is committed to helping businesses harness technology for sustainable success.
Dion Govender
Chief Executive: Connected Industrial Solutions
Dion is the Chief Executive of iOCO’s Connected Industrial Ecosystems (CIE) division, bringing over 30 years of experience in the corporate technology sector. His extensive career spans senior leadership roles, including a long tenure at Siemens, where he served as Group CEO of Siemens Energy in Sub-Saharan Africa and held a senior executive position in Siemens Germany. With a proven track record of strategic leadership, Dion has successfully built a startup, served on numerous boards, and played a key role in the growth of iOCO.
Dion’s professional journey in information technology began at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, where he was part of the pioneering team that created the first large-scale digital trading platform for the Futures and Traded Options Markets, ushering in a new era for the stockbroking community. He also spent five years running his own entrepreneurial ventures in sustainable energy technologies, renewable energy, and alternative fuels before joining iOCO in 2018 to take on a leadership role in its industrial technology businesses.
An MBA graduate of Henley Business School UK (2006), Dion is a member of the Institute of Directors of South Africa and a well-rounded business executive known for his expertise in technology, culture change, and value creation.
Dion’s professional journey in information technology began at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, where he was part of the pioneering team that created the first large-scale digital trading platform for the Futures and Traded Options Markets, ushering in a new era for the stockbroking community. He also spent five years running his own entrepreneurial ventures in sustainable energy technologies, renewable energy, and alternative fuels before joining iOCO in 2018 to take on a leadership role in its industrial technology businesses.
An MBA graduate of Henley Business School UK (2006), Dion is a member of the Institute of Directors of South Africa and a well-rounded business executive known for his expertise in technology, culture change, and value creation.
Clydie Cronje
Chief Executive: Outsourced Knowledge Solutions & Digital
Clydie Cronje is the Chief Executive of iOCO’s Outsourced Knowledge Services (OKS) division. Since 2019, he has held key leadership roles within the Group, including Group Chief Operating Officer, Cluster Executive for iOCO Digital, and Delivery and Execution Executive for iOCO Digital.
Clydie first joined iOCO as Operations Manager for Digital following the Group’s acquisition of Airborne Consulting, a leading IT and management consulting firm. As part-owner and Operations Director of Airborne, he played a pivotal role in its success.
Bringing deep technical expertise to his leadership, Clydie began his career in the ’90s as a mainframe developer and data warehouse architect. A certified Scrum Master and expert in agile methodologies, he combines hands-on experience with a strategic approach to business transformation. With a career spanning more than three decades in IT and business operations, Clydie is a natural leader who drives efficiency and growth. At iOCO OKS, Clydie leads Talent Solutions and Legal-as-a-Service offerings, ensuring strong support for industries in governance, compliance, recruitment, training, and HR payroll.
Clydie first joined iOCO as Operations Manager for Digital following the Group’s acquisition of Airborne Consulting, a leading IT and management consulting firm. As part-owner and Operations Director of Airborne, he played a pivotal role in its success.
Bringing deep technical expertise to his leadership, Clydie began his career in the ’90s as a mainframe developer and data warehouse architect. A certified Scrum Master and expert in agile methodologies, he combines hands-on experience with a strategic approach to business transformation. With a career spanning more than three decades in IT and business operations, Clydie is a natural leader who drives efficiency and growth. At iOCO OKS, Clydie leads Talent Solutions and Legal-as-a-Service offerings, ensuring strong support for industries in governance, compliance, recruitment, training, and HR payroll.
Richard Vester
Chief Executive: Cloud & International
Richard Vester is the Chief Executive and director of iOCO United Kingdom. He also leads iOCO’s hyperscale practice across the EMEA region. A sales-driven senior executive with over 25 years’ experience in the technology industry, he has played a key role in launching and shaping major initiatives for leading technology service providers in South Africa and beyond.
Richard has a deep understanding of markets, products, infrastructure, and support services, enabling the delivery of best-in-class cloud solutions. Since joining iOCO in 2012, he has spearheaded the Cloud Business, driving its international expansion and securing key partnerships.
Earlier in his career, he held an executive role at Vodacom Business, where he built the Cloud, Data Centre, Security, and Application divisions.
Richard has a deep understanding of markets, products, infrastructure, and support services, enabling the delivery of best-in-class cloud solutions. Since joining iOCO in 2012, he has spearheaded the Cloud Business, driving its international expansion and securing key partnerships.
Earlier in his career, he held an executive role at Vodacom Business, where he built the Cloud, Data Centre, Security, and Application divisions.
Essam Elbadri
Chief Executive: Middle East
CEO, ASSET Technology Group
Essam El Badri is the founder and CEO of ASSET Technology Group, an iOCO company and a leading software vendor in the Middle East. Since founding ASSET in 1991, he has built it into a top provider of proprietary software (IP) and professional services, delivering solutions in content management, telecom, and smart agriculture.
Under his leadership, ASSET pioneered the world’s first Arabic Optical Character Recognition (OCR) system in 1993, enabling the digital conversion of Arabic text from images. Today, the company provides multiple successful IP’s in addition to partnering with global technology leaders such as OpenText, Oracle, and Microsoft to provide enterprise solutions tailored to industry needs. Earlier in his career, Essam held leadership roles at Gulf Data International in Abu Dhabi, where he led financial system sales and automation projects. He began as a systems engineer at Data General Computers, focusing on banking solutions and operating systems.
Essam holds a B.S. in Computer Science from Ain Shams University, Cairo (1981).
Essam El Badri is the founder and CEO of ASSET Technology Group, an iOCO company and a leading software vendor in the Middle East. Since founding ASSET in 1991, he has built it into a top provider of proprietary software (IP) and professional services, delivering solutions in content management, telecom, and smart agriculture.
Under his leadership, ASSET pioneered the world’s first Arabic Optical Character Recognition (OCR) system in 1993, enabling the digital conversion of Arabic text from images. Today, the company provides multiple successful IP’s in addition to partnering with global technology leaders such as OpenText, Oracle, and Microsoft to provide enterprise solutions tailored to industry needs. Earlier in his career, Essam held leadership roles at Gulf Data International in Abu Dhabi, where he led financial system sales and automation projects. He began as a systems engineer at Data General Computers, focusing on banking solutions and operating systems.
Essam holds a B.S. in Computer Science from Ain Shams University, Cairo (1981).
Florian Baumann
Chief Executive: Switzerland
Florian Baumann is the Chief Executive and Director of iOCO Solutions GmbH in Switzerland, where he’s led the company’s expansion and business development since 2018. Under his leadership, iOCO has built a successful subsidiary in Switzerland.
He has established strong partnerships with large enterprise clients and has been instrumental in the company’s growth in the region. Florian brings over 15 years of experience in ICT consulting, business development, and leadership. His previous roles at Avnet AG and Tech Data GmbH saw him managing complex business units, optimising processes, and leading teams to deliver next-generation technology solutions. His expertise includes sales, marketing, IT strategy, and enterprise software solutions.
Florian’s expertise spans sales and marketing, process optimisation, IT strategy, and the management of cross-functional teams. His academic background includes a Master’s degree in Information and Process Management, complemented by advanced certifications in IT-Management, Business Process Engineering, and Marketing and Communication
He has established strong partnerships with large enterprise clients and has been instrumental in the company’s growth in the region. Florian brings over 15 years of experience in ICT consulting, business development, and leadership. His previous roles at Avnet AG and Tech Data GmbH saw him managing complex business units, optimising processes, and leading teams to deliver next-generation technology solutions. His expertise includes sales, marketing, IT strategy, and enterprise software solutions.
Florian’s expertise spans sales and marketing, process optimisation, IT strategy, and the management of cross-functional teams. His academic background includes a Master’s degree in Information and Process Management, complemented by advanced certifications in IT-Management, Business Process Engineering, and Marketing and Communication
